Confection molding



Aug. 18, 1953 c.. R. NlKLAsoN '2,649,057

CONFECTION MOLDING Filed July s1, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 1 CLAksNcs R. NmLAsoN mwam@ Y www Aug. 18, 1953 c. R.NlKLAsoN CONFECTION MoLDING 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed July 31, 1947 I III Fig? CLARENCE R. N IKLAsoN Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE GONFECTION MOLDING Clarence R. Niklason, Arlington County, Va.

Application July 31, 1947, Serial No. 765,015

3 Claims. (Cl. IWI- 54) The present invention relates in general to methods for making edible articles, and more particularly to methods for shaping frozen confections, such as ice cream, sherbets, and the like, to impart thereto a conical shape with a hollow conical recess therein for dispensing purposes.

In the retail dispensing of frozen confections, such as ice cream and the like, it has been found advantageous to dispense individual portions of the confection in individual containers, removing the container at the time the confection is served to the purchaser. Such a method results in a saving of confection to the retail dealer over the long established dispensing by the scoopful from a bulk container, while permitting more sanitary handling of the confection and more accurate delivery of portions of correct size. It is further desirable in the dispensing of many types of confections to provide individual portions of confection with a re cess or cavity therein for the purpose of adding an edible substance such as a syrup, crushed fruits, jam jelly, or the like, of different flavors, to permit the ready production of sundae type confection from the portion provided.

In the methods and apparatus heretofore provided for the production of such portions' of confection in large quantities, considerable difficulty has been experienced in effecting ready removal of the confection from the mold, due to the frost bond formed between the outer surface of the confection portion and the wall of the mold, and particularly that formed with portions of the molds adapted to form the recess or cavity in the portion of confection.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provision of a novel method of packaging frozen confections in individual containers.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel method of packaging and dispensing a frozen confection in forms appropriate for use as a sundae.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device for molding in a single operation a large quantity of confection, such as ice cream, into a plurality of conically shaped portions of appropriate size and shape to t the edible hollow cones in common use.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel device for molding a large quantity of frozen confection into a plurality of conically shaped portions with a conical core provided therein that can subsequently be filled with flavoring syrup and the like to form a sundae type of confection.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel device for molding a large quantity of frozen confection into a plurality of conically shaped portions with a conical core provided therein, the device having means for effecting the ready destruction of any frost bond occurring between the mold and the confection to effect removal of the portions from the mold.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing only a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a confection mold embodying the present invention with a portion of the upper surface thereof broken away to reveal the inner structure of the mold;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the confection mold with the mold parts arranged for the freezing operation;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the confection mold, taken along the lines 3 3 of Figure l, showing the molded confection in place in the mold, and the upper section of the mold raised to separate the confection from the core;

Fig. 4 is a partial end elevation of the removable upper portion of the mold, showing the hinged spacing members for effecting removal of the confection from the mold and spacing knees for adjusting the normal spacing of the portions of the mold in accordance with the size of confection portions desired to be molded;

Fig. 5 is a View partially in section and partially in elevation of the confection portion as commercially dispensed in edible cone shaped receptacles; and,

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the spacer knee members taken along the lines 6 6 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, and particularly to Figures l, 2 and 3, there is shown a tray or rack, generally designated at I0, forming a base frame for the mold and designated to hold a plurality of confection containers. The rack may be made of any desirable material and in a substantial variety of desirable shapes adaptable for use with air blast freezing equipment or other freezing means with which the mold is to be employed. The rack is shown as constructed of wire, for convenience, simplicity and economy of construction, handling, and for immersing the articles supported therein in fluids, each of the wire members forming the rack I being preferably soldered, brazed, welded or secured in any other desirable manner to the other wire members at every point of Contact between wire members in the rack IIJ.

The rack Ij comprises a base frame I I shaped in substantially rectangular form and horizontally disposed, an intermediate frame I2, and. an upper frame I3, both likewise horizontally disposed and of the same size and shape as. the base frame Il. The frames Il., I2 land I3 are. disposed in horizontally spaced relationship to each other and held ixedly in. their respective positions by vertically disposed side postsor rods i4, secured at each `point of contact with the frames I I, I2 and I3 to the frames.

The upper and intermediate frames I3 and I2 are provided with supporting rods I 5, I5 disposed axially longitudinally of the frames I3 and I2 and spaced transversely between the sides thereof, -the supporting rods I5, I5 having their ends, as indicated at I6, deflected upwardly to overlie and rest upon the frames i3 and I2. Disposed transversely across the supporting rods t5, I5 are a plurality of pairs of wires I-1, IS with their ends `also overlying and resting upon the frames I3 and I2 and secured thereto. These pairs of Wires I1, I8 are disposed side by side and provided at appropriate intervals 4transversely of the sides of the frames I3 and I2 with container supporting loops i3 for-ined by arcing the adjacent wires I1 and i8 complementarily outward, the wires being secured together by suitable means along their adjacent contacting surfaces. The container supporting loops i9 formed by wires I1 and I8 secured to the intermediate frame I2 are made of smaller diameter than the corresponding loops I2 formed in the wires I1' and I8 secured. to the upper frame I3, such that the corresponding loops are adapted to receive and support on a selected horizontal level containers or cups` 26, formed in substantially conical shape and of a liquid impervious material, such as paraffin paper. The rack I0 then in effect forms a mold rack with the containers 2G forming the molds adapted to receive the confection in liquid state and shape the same in substantially conical form.

A means is provided for forming conical cores withinthe coniections contained in the conical container molds 2t. A tray member 2i, formed preferably of sheet metal, is adapted to overlie the rack member I0 and rest thereon. The sides 22 of the tray member 2-I are provided'with vertical corner posts 23 extending downwardly. therefrom with horizontally disposed bars 24v of sheet .metal secured between the lower ends of the corner posts 23 to add strength and rigidity to the structure, these corner posts 23 and bars 24 being adapted to extend around the sidesV of therack member I3 and engage the sides -of the upper and intermediate frames I3 and I 2 to position the tray member 2I laterally relative to the rack member Ii). The upper edge of the tray member 2| is likewise provided with a wire frame 25 similar to the wire frames II, I2 and I3 of the rack member I0, secured to the upper edges of the side members 22 of the tray member 2'I to add strength 'to the structure.

In the embodiment shown, spacer blocks or knees 26, shown particularly in Figures 4 and 6,

are mounted in the corners of the tray memberl 2I against the under side of the bottom 21 of the tray member ZI adapted to rest upon the corners of the upper wire frame i3 of the rack member I0, and are designed `of a size vertically to maintain the bottom 21 of the tray member 2I flush and in engagement with the top or lip of each of the container molds 23 positioned in the supportingloops I9 formed. in ther rack member I=6. Obviously, thev size of spacer blocks 26 is Varied as a function of the size of conical contaner molds 20, to maintain the top of the containers 20 substantially in contact with the bottom of the tray member 2 I.

Extending downwardly from the bottom 21 of the tray member 2| are a plurality of hollow conical projections 28 positioned to enter the conicalexnolds formed by the containers 20 when the tray member 2I is seated on the rack member I6. The cross-sectional area of each of the conical projections `28 is considerably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the associated conical mold `formed by the containers 20, to provide anA `annular conical space Vbetween the two mold members.

Pivoted spacer blocks 29; 29' of greater height than the spacer blocks 26, are pivoted to the ends 316 of the tray member 2:I on substantially the transverse center thereof by hinge members 3I', the hinged spacer blocks 259', 2'9" being operative to be pivoted downwardly into a vertical position where the upper shoulder `of the block 29 bears upon the under side of the bottom 21 of the tray member 2| and the lower surface of the block 29 is in position to rest upon the upper wire fra-me I3 of ,the rack member Ii), this being operative to support the tray member 2i on the rack member I0 with the bottom 21 thereof and the conical projections 28 disposed at a greater spacing from the rack member Iii. To facilitate the lifting of the tray member 2I -necessary to effecting swinging down of the hinged spacer blocks 29 into Vertical position, openings 32- of a size to permit ventr-y of the hand therethrough are providedV in the ends 36 of ythe tray member 2 I.

Operation of the device is as follows. The tray member 2 If isA removed from the rack member I3, and the containers 20' forming the molds for the confection are placed in vthe supporting loops I9 formed in the rack member I0. A predeterminedV quantity of the confection, for example ice cream mix, in liquid form, is placed in the containers 26, thequantity of confection placed therein Ibeing just suiii'cient to ll ythe containers 26 when the conical projections 28vk on the tray member 2l are lowered into the containers 20. The tray member 251iis then placed on the rack member Ifilwith the spacer blocks 26 resting on the corners. of the upper wire frame I3 of the rack member IQ, and the corner posts 23 and bars 24 surrounding the rack member I0 4the bottom 21 of the member 2JI- being disposed flush with the tops of the containers 23. During this operation, the conical projections 2S are brought into their inwardly disposedy position Within the containers 2B forcing the confection therein aside,- -the displaced confection being distributed thereby through the containers 26 to substantiall'yiil'lv `the same. The device with the liquid confection in the containers Vil is then placedin a suitable air blaster. other freezing means to harden the confection. The. open sides and bottom of the tray member 2| and the lattice structure of the rack member l0 permit free circulation of the chilling iiuid solution around the mold forming containers when the device is immersed therein.

After the confection in the containers 20 becomes hardened, the device is removed from the freezing means, and the tray member 2l lifted slightly by the openings 32 in the ends thereof rendering the tray member 2l no longer spaced from the rack member I0 by a distance dei-ined by the thickness of the spacer blocks 26. The hinged spacer blocks 29, 29' are then pivoted into vertical position on the hinges 3|, and the tray member 2| lowered until the hinged spacer blocks 29, 20 rest on the upper Wire frame I3 of the rack member I0. The frost bond formed between the confection in the containers 20 and the walls of the hollow conical projections 28 depending from the bottom 2l of the tray member 2l will carry the containers 20 upward with the tray member 2| and dispose the containers 20 above the seats therefor formed by the supporting loops I9 and out of engagement with the wires Il and i8 forming the loops i9. Warm water may then be circulated through the tray 2l and the hollow portions of the conical projections 2S depending therefrom to break the frost bond by thawing slightly the confection contacting the walls of the tray and projections 20, the containers 20 and the confection therein dropping back into seated relation in the supporting loops I9 in the rack member l0 when the confection is thawed sufciently to break the frost bond. This arrangement prevents undo thawing of the confections, as immediately the frost bond is broken, the containers drop into the rack, removing the confection from the warmed tray and conical projections 20.

The containers with the frozen confection therein may then be packed for convenient stor-A age or shipment to points for commercial dispensing of the confection, the confection being left in the containers 2e for convenience and sanitation in handling. If, for example, it is desired to dispense the confection in the form of an ice cream cone, the ice cream shaped in the truncated conical form, as shown in section in Figure 5, and indicated at 33, is separated from its container 2c by stripping the container therefrom, the conical ice cream portion placed in an edible cone-shaped container 3e, and the inner conical recess filled with any desired syrup, fruits, or other confection.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that a novel method of packaging and dispensing frozen confections, together with apparatus for effecting the method, has been provided which can be performed rapidly and economically, the apparatus for effecting the method being extremely simple in construction, easy to manipulate, durable, and economical to manufacture and use.

It will be also apparent that the invention lends itself to the formation and dispensing of completely packaged sundaes, this being effected by filling the inner conical recesses formed in the confection, after the conical projections 28 are removed therefrom, with the fiavoring medium desired to be used therewith, and subjecting the confection and flavoring medium to a subsequent freezing operation to congeal the avoring medium.

While I have particularly shown and described one particular embodiment of the invention, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but that various modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A process for making a frozen confection comprising the steps of, inserting a plurality of molding elements into masses of fluid confectionary material to define indentations in the material, removing heat from 'the confectionary material by way of the indentation molding elements to freeze the confectionaryv material and produce a frost bond therebetween, raising the indentation molding elements to suspend 'the masses of confectionary material therefrom, and supplying heat to the confectionary aterial by way of the indentation molding elements to break the frost bond suspending said masses.

A process for making a frozen confection comprising the steps of, inserting a plurality of vertical molding elements into masses of uid confectionary material to define axial indentations extending inwardly of the material, removing heat from the confectionary material by way of the indentation molding elements to freeze the confectionary material and produce a frost bond between the masses of confectionary material and the molding elements, raising the indentation molding elements to suspend the masses of confectionary material therefrom, and supplying heat to the confectionary material by way of the indentation molding elements to break the frost bond suspending said masses.

3. A process for making a frozen confection comprising the steps of, inserting a plurality of vertical molding elements into masses of uid confectionary material to define a recess in each of said masses extending inwardly thereof, -re moving heat from the confectionary material through the molding elements to freeze the confectionary material and produce a frost bond between the masses of material and the molding elements, raising the recess molding elements to suspend the masses of confectionary material therefrom, and supplying heat to the confectionary material through the recess molding elements to break the 'frost bond suspending said masses and free the masses of their suspended state.

CLARENCE R. NIKLASON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 802,696 Jackson et al Oct. 24, 1905 1,697,051 Crumlick Jan. 1, 1929 1,893,513 Balian Jan. 10, 1933 2,007,572 Jancsy July 9, 1935 2,087,729 Cowling July 20, 1937 2,109,822 Eddy Mar. 1, 1938 2,320,985 Overland June 1, 1943 2,334,654 Sportolari Nov. 16, 194:3 

